Care Guide

DENIM CARE GUIDE

Denim is an extremely durable fabric, and Riders by Lee has been synonymous with durability since its establishment in 1934. We design heritage-inspired, timeless denim and apparel that is relevant season after season, and made with high quality fabrics that ensure durability and longevity. Denim is an investment, forming the foundation of every wardrobe, so we want your favourite denim to be with us for as long as possible.

Please remember, a significant portion of energy and water is used in the after-purchase phase of the lifecycle of your jeans. Denim doesn’t need to be washed after every wear. In fact, character is further enhanced in your jeans the more you wear them without washing in between. They start to mould to your body, distressing and rips will get bigger, and the colour will “wear” in a pattern unique to you.

Follow these tips so you can not only get the best out of your denim, but also help tread a lighter path on the planet.

WEARING YOUR DENIM:

Before you even put on your jeans for the first time, remember to always pull them up using the waistband, never use the belt loops as they have not been designed for this purpose and will rip off the fabric.

We use premium zippers on all our denim garments, this ensures the quality and strength of your jean. The zip features an auto-lock mechanism when done up, making sure you won’t get caught with your fly down!

And if your jeans feature rips or destressing, remember these holes are designed to grow with wear, so please take care when slipping your jeans on and off. Those perfectly positioned holes are the perfect size for a foot to slip through, potentially ripping and stretching the holes prematurely.

WASHING YOUR DENIM:

First up, check your care instruction labels because the experts know best!

To maintain the integrity and colour of your jeans/denim we would suggest that denim doesn’t need to be washed after every wear, in fact, limiting the amount of unnecessary washes you put your denim through will not enhance the character of your jeans, it will also help prolong the life of your jeans.

In saying this, don’t be afraid to wash your denim. Here are a few key tips and tricks:

Turn your jeans inside out before placing in the washing machine. This will help to reduce the harshness of detergent on the surface of your jeans
Always wash in cold water. Not only is this better for the environment (and your electricity bill), it also helps to retain your denim’s original colour, shape and life
Wash with a minimal amount of detergent, preferably an eco-friendly (low-enzyme) liquid detergent, over powder. Powder can cause unwanted patches or markings on the surface of your jeans. And when it comes to detergent, less is always more, you only need a small amount to make a difference
Always wash your dark colours together. Denim likes to be washed with other denim garments, or at least similar colours. Remember that dark colours can bleed for the first few washing cycles. Always wash your dark indigo and black jeans before wearing for the first time
If washing White denim, always wash with your other whites. Avoid using bleach or any harsh chemicals as this can damage your denim, or in fact, make your whites turn yellow! To keep your whites bright, soaking in liquid detergent prior to washing will help lift stains

Handwashing is another great way care for your denim, and the environment; saving litres of water and use zero energy (except your own!) Place your garments inside out in a sink or bucket of cold water, with a small amount of liquid detergent. Agitate the water to make sure all areas of the jeans get washed, leaving them to soak for no more than 15-30 minutes. Then rinse, making sure all traces of detergent as removed. Roll them in a towel to remove excess moisture and avoid wringing as it can damage the denim fibres.

DRYING YOUR DENIM:

Ditch the dryer and air dry instead if you can. Exposing your denim to lengthy periods of heat in a tumble dryer can damage the fabric fibres, shrink and reduce the longevity of your jeans. Reduce your carbon footprint (and power bill) by drying inside on a clothes rack or outside in the shade. If you’re drying outside just turn them inside out to avoid fading.

Direct sunlight can fade the colour of your denim or create unwanted marks and deteriorate your jeans. Drying your jeans naturally can make them a little stiff at first, but give them a few minutes of wear and they’ll be back to feeling soft again! Alternatively, you can steam or lightly iron the garment inside out.

APPAREL CARE GUIDE:

At Riders by Lee we take care in producing the best quality clothing for you guys, and we would love you to take care of them too!

Here are some helpful tips so you can not only get the best out of your clothes, but also help tread a lighter path on the planet.

Tees and Fleece

All of our jersey is designed to withstand a regular machine wash – however do always check the care label and follow the wash instructions we have provided
We are conscious of the environment and the amount of water we use, so we would encourage to wash all your clothes on a short, cold or 30degree cycle

Shirting

All of our Shirting is designed to withstand a regular machine wash, however some of our shirts are in specialist fabrics which may require a dry clean only – please always check your garment’s care label for guidelines before washing them

Jackets

We encourage you not to wash jackets as they rarely need cleaning, but if you do need to clean your jacket we would always recommend checking with your local dry cleaner. Please always check your care label for guidance before cleaning your Jacket

Paper patches on Denim

Like our denim, our branded waistband patches are designed to fade & wear with your jeans so you have the complete authentic look
Like Cotton, paper is a natural material, and it’s characteristics change over time like denim, so if you notice slight differences on your paper patch after washing your jeans, please note this is normal and nothing to be worried about

…ONE LAST THING

When you think your denim has had its day remember the three R’s before discarding them: REPAIR, REUSE AND RECYCLE.